No, open gin doesn't go bad in the sense that it becomes unsafe to drink. However, its quality diminishes over time.
How Long Does Open Gin Last?
While gin remains safe to consume for years after opening, its flavor and aroma degrade. For optimal taste, it's best to finish the bottle within one year. After a year or more, the gin may lose its crispness and some of its desirable aromatic qualities. [1, 7, 10] Even after two years, it's still likely safe, though it might not taste as good. [1, 7] The alcohol content might also decrease slightly through evaporation. [2, 3, 9, 10]
Factors Affecting Gin Quality
Several factors influence how long your open gin remains enjoyable:
- Storage: Keeping the bottle tightly sealed in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources, will significantly prolong its quality. [4, 6]
- Evaporation: A small amount of alcohol and water will evaporate over time, especially if the bottle isn't tightly sealed. This can affect both the ABV (alcohol by volume) and the flavor profile. [3, 9]
- Oxidation: Exposure to air can lead to oxidation, impacting the taste and aroma of the gin. Proper sealing minimizes this. [2]
Is It Still Safe After a Year?
Yes, gin remains safe to drink even after a year or more, but the taste might be noticeably affected. [1, 2, 5, 8] While the alcohol content might decrease slightly due to evaporation, the gin will still be sterile and safe to consume as long as the ABV hasn't dropped significantly (below 20%). [3] However, it's crucial to remember that the flavor profile will be compromised. [3, 8, 10]
References:
[1] Gin can remain drinkable for up to two years once opened but we'd recommend getting to the end of the bottle within a year. As gin doesn't technically “go off”, it won't do you any harm, but if drinking it a year or more after opening it may not taste particularly nice and won't be anywhere near as crisp as it should.
[2] Liquor is pretty much always SAFE to drink, even if it's been open for years. However, around 8-12 months after opening because some evaporation and oxidation ...
[3] As long as it hasn't evaporated below 20% ABV it'll still be sterile and safe to drink. But it will have lost a lot of the aromatics and taste ...
[4] Once opened, gin can be stored for years without going bad, unless you keep it in an unsealed bottle next to a radiator or in direct sunlight. However, even if ...
[5] Generally, it's going to last at least a year with no discernible changes at all. And sometimes much longer. But it will be usable for many years.
[6] Similarly, an opened gin bottle if stored in optimal conditions can last about one to two years or longer though there are some 'buts' (see Do's ...
[7] It depends on what you mean by “last”. Gin is safe to drink indefinitely. But depending on how it's stored, it can evaporate a little bit, and ...
[8] Most spirits don't go bad, in the sense that they continue to be safe to drink in moderation. They do lose flavour intensity and alcoholic strength over time.
[9] Not likely. Alcohol has a a lower boiling point than water and therefore evaporates faster than water. After sitting uncovered in a cup for 2 ...
[10] Unopened liquor has an indefinite shelf life. Opened liquor lasts about a year or two before it goes bad, meaning it starts losing its color and flavor.
